The rise of the Steal Seekers- New data reveals prolific shoplifting offences across Northamptonshire
New data released by national addiction treatment providers The UKAT Group reveals that the number of shoplifting arrests made by Northamptonshire Police in the last five years has risen by 221%.
Worryingly, the number of repeat shoplifting offences- those who in the same year, were arrested on 2 or more occasions- has risen year on year over the past five years.
The data - gathered by the UKAT Group by way of a Freedom of Information request directly to Northamptonshire Police, clearly shows that arrests made in the area for shoplifting and those who are prolific shoplifters- the ‘Steal Seekers’ - have risen significantly.
The news comes as the BBC exposes the truth behind shoplifting and its impact on local communities, shop staff and police forces themselves.
UKAT’s data reveals that in 2021, Northamptonshire Police made 247 arrests for shoplifting. This rises every year until 792 arrests are made in 2025.
UKAT’s addiction experts are most concerned with the rise in repeat shoplifting offenders. This group of people - named ‘Steal Seekers’ - are those that UKAT believe could be repeatedly shoplifting out of dependency, not financial necessity.
Zaheen Ahmed, Head of Therapy at The UKAT Group explains; “What we're seeing is a rise of 'Steal Seekers'; people who don’t shoplift because they need the money or the items, but because they are hooked on the act of stealing itself.
"Our figures show a clear group of repeat offenders acting across the Northamptonshire area, and within that group will be people whose behaviour has become compulsive.”
In 2021, 45 repeat arrests were made for shoplifting, a figure that rises to 167 in 2025; a 271% hike in just five years.
Collectively, UKAT’s data shows that between 2021 and 2025, a total of 2,813 arrests were made for shoplifting, of which 539 - or 19% - were made for repeat shoplifting offenders.
It is these 539 arrests that UKAT’s Zaheen believes could be acting out as a cry for help.
He continues; "We’ve worked with people who are mortgage-free, financially secure and don’t drink or take drugs, yet shoplift every weekend simply because they get a kick out of it. The adrenaline and dopamine rush of doing something they shouldn’t - and getting away with it - can create a powerful cycle that makes them want to do it again.”
Shoplifting addiction is a type of impulse control disorder and shares very similar traits to that of the rare mental health condition, Kleptomania.
Those who shoplift will do so for a number of reasons; mainly financial, whether that’s to get by in the cost of living crisis, or whether it’s to fund a substance addiction. However, there will be those who shoplift because they enjoy the thrill of the act itself.
Those who suffer will experience irresistible urges to shoplift, regardless of the need to actually do it. They’ll go through a tension cycle; feelings of anxiety, physical tension and frustration in the body before they shoplift. Once the act is committed, the offender will experience immediate pleasure, in some cases even arousal, and feelings of gratification and relief. For some, these feelings soon turn to remorse, guilt and shame.
UKAT’s Zaheen Ahmed concludes; "A ‘Steal Seeker’ might not look like a traditional addict, but the psychological pull can be every bit as real and they deserve as much help as any other addict.”